When going down a steep hill, what should you do?

When descending a steep hill, shifting to a lower gear is the best practice to maintain control of the vehicle. This technique is known as engine braking, which utilizes the engine's resistance to slow the vehicle down without over-relying on the brakes.

When driving downhill, gravity causes the vehicle to accelerate, and simply maintaining speed in the current gear can lead to loss of control or possibly overheating the brakes due to constant use. Similarly, shifting to a higher gear would not provide the necessary control, as it would allow the engine to work less effectively against the downhill momentum.

Applying brakes constantly is also not advisable, as it can lead to brake fade, where the brakes overheat and lose their effectiveness. By shifting to a lower gear, you're taking advantage of the engine's strength to help slow the vehicle, ensuring a safer descent.